Mechanical Reliability Engineer
Description:
What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people's lives, the planet and our company's performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.
Position Title **:
Mechanical Reliability Engineer
Pay Rate** :
Position level ranges from 11 - 13, commensurate with experience
$95,000 - $130,000
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills, and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.
Category/Shift :
Salaried Full-Time
Physical Location :
Columbus Modified Fiber
371 Manufacturers Drive
Columbus, MS 39701
The Job You Will Perform:
This position supports International Paper's Columbus Modified Fiber facility (CMF), located in Columbus, Mississippi . CMF is a vital part of International Paper's Global Cellulose Fibers Business. We are a converting operation that produces specialty fibers used in the production of diapers and other absorbent personal care products.
We have an immediate opening for a Mechanical Reliability Engineer. The primary purpose for this position is to improve overall mill performance by increasing equipment uptime and the life of our assets, and eliminating unscheduled downtime and reducing end-of-life failures between outages. The Mechanical Reliability Engineer's focus is on making sustainable improvements to critical manufacturing systems. This position reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and is a member of the facility's Extended Leadership Team.
The Reliability Engineer's main responsibility is to take the lead in maintaining and improving the reliability of our process equipment. A successful reliability engineer will be able to interact with all areas/parts of the organization. They must work hand-in-hand with both Maintenance and Operations while being able to communicate effectively with suppliers, sales engineers, and other technology support. They will partner with Operations and Maintenance leaders to support the Manufacturing Work Systems (MWS) process. In crisis situations they must be able to provide good technical direction, quickly pull together corrective action plans, and roll up their sleeves to lend a hand when needed.
The Mechanical Reliability Engineer will ensure the reliability of our manufacturing operations by working to:
Provide visible and active leadership in delivering excellent safety results.
Work with Operations and Maintenance teams to implement strategic maintenance initiatives that support achievement of reliability objectives, key performance metrics, and maintenance cost objectives.
Support Maintenance training processes in alignment with the Global Manufacturing Training Initiative (GMTI) to ensure highly skilled team members.
Improve maintenance work efficiency by applying Precision Maintenance Techniques.
Build effective systems and materials such as standard operating procedures (SOP), troubleshooting documents (TCC), and other training materials.
Support the Maintenance Front Line Leader and Planners during the planning and execution phases of outages.
Develop solutions to chronic repetitive failures by analyzing data. Be the owner of the chronic reliability list, and lead efforts to provide priority resolutions to these issues.
Support and provide expertise for repair jobs and capital projects.
Serve as a contractor coordinator (IPCC) as required.
Rotate with other leaders to provide Weekend Duty leadership.
Key Accountabilities:
Owns maintenance strategy. Reliability engineers are responsible for defining, developing, administering, and refining the equipment care programs.
Predictive Maintenance: Develop routes, ensure communication between Maintenance team and technicians.
Preventative Maintenance: Support development of mechanical PM's for each area; develop routes and manage the program and communication.
Support Maintenance team: Help resolve technical issues or repair procedures as required; work closely with the maintenance FLL as needed; MWS Team participation.
Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) Facilitation: Champion use of RCFA. Lead Maintenance RCFA and ensure engagement of workforce, proper root causes identified, and action items are completed.
Coordinate priorities with operations
MWS Work participation; participate in reviewing and prioritizing work orders, ensure proper preventative maintenance outage work is completed.
The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with 3+ years of industrial experience
Non-degreed candidates with significant experience in a related function will also be considered
Experience in the pulp and paper industry is preferred
Proven safety record (individual performance and leadership)
Substantial knowledge of and experience maintaining rotating equipment including pumps & gearboxes, welding & cutting metals, heavy rigging, pipefitting, and repair/troubleshooting of hydraulic systems required.
Strong problem solving / decision making skills and experience on production equipment
Strong technical background. Ability to manage and lead multiple projects.
Proficient with Microsoft Office and SAP PM Applications
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Must have good interpersonal skills with the ability to interact at all levels
Strong leadership skills
Must be flexible and available with their schedule to meet plant needs as they arise
Competencies: Detail oriented, Mechanical Aptitude, Managerial Courage, Drive for Results, Managing through Systems, Motivating Others, Managing & Measuring Work, Priority Setting, Peer Relationships
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper's GCF business offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, and Paid Time Off.
The Career You Will Build:
Leadership training and promotional opportunities within a global company
The Impact You Will Make:
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you'll see why our team members say they're Proud to be IP .
The Culture You Will Experience:
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.
The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion.
Our GCF business helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into essential everyday products. Our safe, high-quality pulp forms the basis for a wide range of applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products. Following International Paper's strategic review, GCF is transitioning to become a standalone company supported by American Industrial Partners, positioning us to deliver enhanced value to customers and continue shaping a healthier, more sustainable future. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement - Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Request an accommodation - +1 662-243-6945
Share this job:
Location:
Columbus, MS, US, 39701
Category: Manufacturing
Date: Sep 1, 2025
If you are not finding suitable opportunities, please click below to join our talent community!
